Fiction Family by Fiction Family

Reviewed by Susan Lloyd

"...a
collection of songs that bear resemblance to their cousins in the Switchfoot/Nickel
Creek catalogues but resound with a striking identity all their own."

They met at a Wilco
concert. After trading smiles and some small talk, they exchanged numbers.
Then following a few random meetings
in a coffee shop near their respective homes they decided to make things
a little more “official”.

What sounds like the beginning
of a beautiful love story is really the tale of how Jon Foreman and Sean
Watkins met several years ago and decided to
write some songs together. Over time and coffee, but rarely meeting together
to discuss, play or write in the same location (enter the beauty of email
to make musical transactions happen in a flash) the unlikely duo created
a set of songs they began to feel needed to see the light of day…and
the backside of a CD. And so was born Fiction Family’s self titled
album released Jan. 20, 2009.

Foreman, of alt-rock Switchfoot
fame, and Watkins of the legendary progressive bluegrass band Nickel Creek,
never intended to write for the purpose of creating
a consumer product but rather for the joy of simply writing music with a
musical partner who would bring a new flavor to the song. However, the songs
grew in number from three or four to a full album of a dozen. Fans of both
bands (and hopefully new fans of Fiction Family) can be thrilled that the
album was indeed recorded and released. Fiction Family’s self titled
CD is one of the most interesting, dynamic, refreshing albums I’ve
had the privilege to hear in a very long time. The musical DNA of both these
talented musicians is woven into each song on the album, imprinting them
with intelligence, thoughtfulness, and killer musical depth.

Watkins and Foreman trade lead
vocals through the track listing and the lion’s share of instrumental work is performed by both men. It’s
obvious that both can work their way around an acoustic guitar, but other
instruments are heard including a mandolin, a banjo, a sitar, a variety of
percussion instruments, and something that sounds very much like the kind
of pump organ that’s been in my family for nearly 100 years. Sean’s
sister Sara Watkins lends the striking sighs of a violin to the mix as well.
The result is a collection of songs that bear resemblance to their cousins
in the Switchfoot/Nickel Creek catalogues but resound with a striking identity
all their own.

The most radio friendly song, “When She’s Near”, dances
very close to some familiar McCartney-esque chord progressions without stealing
the Beatle’s sound entirely.
The tune is fresh and catchy with an easy rhythm and some happy, laid back
harmonies. Foreman and Watkins made a video to accompany the song and when
one orders the deluxe Vinyl set, a bonus DVD featuring the video is included.
And might I add, the artwork and photography for that vinyl set, the CD cover,
and the CD itself was created by none other than Switchfoot’s touring
photographer, Andy Barron. Said artwork is just that… sophisticated
art that successfully mirrors the uncontrived ease of the album’s tunes.

Several of the songs that feature
Watkins’ smooth tenor on lead remind
me of why I need more Sean Watkins in my life, with “Not Sure” being
the most outstanding of the lot. The vocal harmonies in “Not Sure” are
a prime example of how Watkins’ voice melds warmly into Foreman’s,
giving the vocal blend the impression of being from real siblings whose vocal
tonalities came from the same gene pool. The song has a strong folk-country
vibe which may make it hard for some Switchfoot fans to swallow but the open-minded
ones who loved Foreman’s work on his seasonal EP’s won’t
mind at all. .

It’s incredibly hard to choose just one of Foreman’s lead songs
to highlight because I have a deep affection for the simple yet stirring “War
in My Blood”, the story song “Betrayal”, and the afore
mentioned “When She’s Near”. But Foreman’s cover
of Abbey Lincoln’s “Throw it Away” seems to stay with me
long after I’ve listened to it. Haunting, convicting, disturbing, and
built on a tonal scale that is reminiscent of a Russian folk song and a French
torch song all at once, “Throw it Away” is just gorgeous.
Foreman has taken the vocal and made it completely his own, breathing quietly
between verses and singing with a clear conviction that’s incredibly
honest.

There are so many sonic treats
on this CD that it’s hard to limit
a review to just a few paragraphs. The lyrics of “Closer Than You Think” are
biting, the echo-y chorus of “We Ride” is inspiring, and the
swagger of “Look for Me Baby” is smile inducing. And for fans
who love to listen for Foreman’s faith to show up in his lyrics, there’s
no shortage of spiritual references.

So what began as a chance meeting
of musicians sharing the same billing, hoping to one day write songs just
for the fun of it has culminated in what
might be the year’s most exciting indie release. Foreman and Watkins
have a future together if they choose to continue their partnership, and
with songs like these they’ll gain a fan base built from their respective
bands and those who love Fiction Family based entirely on its own merits.

Susan Lloyd is
a professional photographer in Charleston, South Carolina who specializes in
shooting concerts. She holds a degree in Music Education and has worked as a
worship leader and as a youth minister. She is passionate about all types of
music and enjoys encouraging and supporting bands who seek to glorify God. She
also loves movies, animals, traveling, and making new friends. She and her husband
have three kids and have been married for nearly 17 years. More info about Susan's
photography can be found at www.susanlloydphotography.com or www.susieq3c.wordpress.com